SNEAK PEEK: Nest-Shaped Treehouse Made of Hurricane Sandy-Fallen Trees Rises at Brooklyn Botanical Garden

"Nature is the architect," <a href="http://www.romerostudios.com/">Roderick Romero</a> told us rather modestly when asked about his latest creation, a giant "nest" <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/brooklyn-botanic-garden-building-ivy-clad-treehouse-using-hurricane-sandy-fallen-trees/">made from trees knocked down by Hurricane Sandy</a> at the <a href="http://www.bbg.org/">Brooklyn Botanic Garden</a>. While it's true that the public art piece, dubbed "Sandy Remix", was born from the aftermath of the superstorm, we think Romero should at least take a little credit. He and his crew have been working through frigid temps, snow and rain to perfect the one-of-a-kind treehouse before it opens to the public on April 6th. If you want to get a sneak peek of this magical structure before the official launch, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/sneak-peek-nest-shaped-treehouse-made-of-hurricane-sandy-fallen-trees-rises-at-brooklyn-botanical-garden/sandy-remix-7/?extend=1">click through our gallery</a> to take a private tour.

Romero originally wanted to name the treehouse Judith Francis Scougall Wolgamott, after his mother who recently passed away. He explained that much of the turmoil that can be seen coming through in Sandy Remix was inspired by his feelings after his mother's death.

A raccoon sleeping inside a tree (at least we hope it was just sleeping) right next to the Sandy Remix construction site seemed unperturbed by the sound of the chainsaw.

In addition to the felled trees, Sandy Remix also incorporates pieces of Patrick Dougherty's Natural History, a rather famous natural art piece made of twigs that had been on display at the BBG for several years.

A heart-shaped piece of wood can be found perched towards the entrance of Sandy Remix.

"I wanted to create a new medium of artistic expression," Romero told us. "It's beyond collage. It's beyond architecture."

Sandy Remix isn't <em>in</em> a tree like some more conventional treehouses, but it is made entirely <em>of</em> trees - 18 different kinds of them, to be exact.

After finding that Hurricane Sandy had pummeled the plants, the <a href="http://www.bbg.org/">Brooklyn Botanic Garden</a> brought treehouse guru <a href="http://www.romerostudios.com/">Romero</a> in to turn them into a wooden phoenix of sorts.

What rose from the ashes was a nest-like lookout that almost resembles a hurricane itself.

Chunks, planks and twigs of Lebanese cedar, walnut, pin oak, bass, chestnut and even persimmon make up the walls, stairs and floor of Sandy Remix, melding together as a giant tornado of timber.

"It's like a museum of trees here," said Romero of the many species found at the BBG. "I want children to come up here and get schooled on wood."

While most of Romero's artistic vision is in place, there is still a lot to be done in terms of making the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/index.php?s=treehouse">treehouse</a> visitor-ready.

"We're still sanding to make it safe for the kids," explained Jon Wagner, a Romero Studios crew member.

Steps leading up to Sandy Remix's lofty perch.

Sandy Remix is scheduled to make its public debut at the<a href="http://www.bbg.org/"> Brooklyn Botanic Garden</a> on April 6, 2013. If you're in the area, we definitely recommend that you go experience it for yourself!